Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 273 Fear of the Unknown, Rain Flower Sword Master

Hedging is a common tactic used by many forces.

During the battle between the Sun Moon Cult and the Merchant Alliance, more than one family had already secretly sent messages to the Sun Moon Cult.

Even the Zhu family is the same.

This phenomenon is probably only absent in a handful of prominent local families in Jiangnan, such as the Wang family.

The other smaller families were basically the same.

Dongfang Bubai naturally knew about this matter and had read many letters, but she never took those letters seriously.

These opportunists are not trustworthy at all.

Only after they have achieved victory will their words have some credibility.

Those who waver on the sidelines aren't actually serious; they're just instinctively betting on multiple fronts.

The letters that were sent contained mostly nonsense and had absolutely no value.

However, things may change after today.

Upon arriving in Suzhou, Dongfang Bubai took over the entire Sun Moon Cult. After announcing the news, he received dozens of letters that very day.

Dongfang Bubai opened all the letters and couldn't help but sneer: "Compared to before, they're only a fraction more sincere."

"That only proves that the pressure is not high enough. If Murong Fu kills one or two more people, the situation will be different."

Jin Jiu shook his head: "Besides, these merchants are timid and afraid of trouble, so we need to find them a leader."

"The leader? Can't Yi Jifeng do it?"

"Yi Jifeng was just defeated by Murong Fu and has lost all his prestige. How can we let him lead the way?"

Dongfang Bubai also shook his head: "I was wrong... The Zhu family is the same, their patriarch was killed, and they didn't even stand up to seek revenge!"

"When the emperor dies, the most important thing for the princes is not revenge, but to fight for the throne. Similarly, when the patriarch dies, the most important thing for the remaining members is not to take revenge on the Murong family, but to fight for the position of patriarch."

Jin Jiu said, "Instead of relying on them, we should rely on this!"

He took out a letter and handed it to Dongfang Bubai.

"Pu family on the sea?"

Dongfeng Bubai pondered for a moment and then laughed, "You really know how to pick!"

Within a mansion, sword energy swirled and flew.

Surrounded by sword shadows, Yi Jifeng dodged and weaved, his figure surging like a dragon.

Even though he was covered in sweat and his steps were a little unsteady, he still kept moving.

Surprisingly, chains appeared out of thin air and completely bound Yi Jifeng.

"Too much of a good thing! If your martial arts are not good, you still have plenty of time to cultivate. But if you overdo it and damage your meridians, I'm afraid you will never be able to make any breakthroughs in the rest of your life."

As Jin Jiu spoke, Yi Jifeng sighed and said, "Thank you for reminding me, but I just... I just can't shake off this frustration, so I can only vent it by practicing martial arts."

With a wave of his hand, Jin Jiu removed all the chains: "If you want to take revenge on Murong Fu, I'm afraid you won't be able to do so in a short time."

Murong Fu possesses the cultivation level of a fully realized innate being, and his family's unique skills are also extraordinary, comparable to your four swords combined. If you want to defeat him, you either need to improve your cultivation level or comprehend the fifth sword. Neither of these can be accomplished in a short time.

Moreover, if Murong Fu's cultivation level improves further during this period, your hopes of revenge will be slim.

Yi Jifeng remained silent.

He knew that Gin was telling the truth.

Although Murong Fu had his flaws, his talent in martial arts was not bad; otherwise, he would not have been able to reach the peak of the Innate Realm at such a young age.

If he hadn't been so ambitious yet incompetent, neglecting the cultivation of his own unique skills, he might have been able to master the Dragon City Sword Technique and the Star Shift Technique to an even deeper level.

Dealing with Yi Jifeng will be incredibly easy.

Moreover, the Murong family's unique skills are not limited to these two. There is another skill called "Canhe Finger". Compared with Longcheng Sword Technique and Douzhuan Xingyi, Canhe Finger is actually the Murong family's strongest inheritance.

How strong is it?
The ancestral home of the Murong family is in Yanziwu, and it is called 'Canhezhuang'.

Murong Fu has practiced martial arts since childhood, but he has not yet mastered the Canhe Finger technique.

This shows how powerful this skill is.

If things develop normally, as Yi Jifeng improves, Murong Fu will naturally improve as well. With his first-mover advantage, it's unknown how many years it will take for Yi Jifeng to defeat Murong Fu.

Yi Jifeng took two deep breaths and said, "It's just a defeat, nothing to brag about. Besides, this place has long been on your and Dongfang Bubai's radar. Murong Fu is only smug for a moment; he will be defeated sooner or later."

By then, it will have been equivalent to avenging me.

"Is that what you think?"

"good."

"Didn't you ever think about taking revenge yourself?"

"Of course I thought about it, but since I was powerless to do so, I gave up."

"What if I told you that the head of the Zhu family was killed by Murong Fu?"

Yi Jifeng was stunned: "What? Impossible!"

Jin Jiu laughed and said, "It seems that people really do forget you when they leave. You were once the leader of the alliance, and you've only just left the alliance, yet no one has even informed you of such an important matter. Hahaha..."

Ignoring the shrill laughter, Yi Jifeng pressed on, "Uncle Zhu... was he killed by Murong Fu? Why?"

Although there were personal motives involved, the help that the Zhu family head provided to him was undeniable.

Putting everything else aside, the house he's currently living in was actually a gift from the Zhu family head.

"Why? Hmm... probably because of you."

"because I?"

"Murong Fu hates you to the bone. Since he can't kill you, he naturally hates everything about you."

Yi Jifeng frowned: "He hates me to the core? Why? I haven't offended him before, have I?"

Jin Jiu said, "When you saw him use the 'Shifting Stars' technique, didn't you think the movement looked familiar?"

"It seems...that's how it is..."

"Just a heads-up, Xixia Yipintang..."

Yi Jifeng suddenly realized: "It's that Western Xia warrior... Time flies... He's actually Murong Fu!"

"That's right!"

Jin Jiu then revealed that Murong Fu had impersonated Li Yanzong and joined the Xixia Yipintang.

"Murong Fu... the young master of the Murong family, the most prestigious family in Jiangnan, actually went to the north to serve the Western Xia barbarians!"

Yi Jifeng gritted his teeth in hatred.

He couldn't understand Murong Fu's purpose in doing this, but he roughly understood why Murong Fu hated him so much.

This means that the Zhu family head was indeed killed by Murong Fu because of him.

She had been kind to him, and it was because of his involvement that she was killed.

This incident filled Yi Jifeng with both hatred and anger, and a sense of guilt also welled up within him.

"call……"

He let out a long breath, and his gaze gradually hardened.

"No matter what your purpose is, I want to defeat Murong Fu and kill him to avenge Uncle Zhu in a short period of time."

For this, even if it comes at a price, I... am willing!

Jin Jiu laughed and said, "Yi Jifeng, you have indeed grown a lot... That's more like it. Murong Fu, as the young master of the Murong family, was able to infiltrate the Xixia Yipintang for his own purposes. Even if he followed Yipintang to wipe out the entire Beggar Clan, he didn't care at all."

"And you, whether you want to revitalize the Famous Sword Manor or avenge the Zhu family head, how can you do it without paying a price?" Golden light rippled up, transforming into the shape of a gate.

"follow me."

As Jin Jiu spoke, he took the lead and stepped into the golden portal.

Yi Jifeng looked surprised, but seeing Jin Jiu disappear through the door, he mustered his courage and followed him inside.

Stepping through the mud.

Yi Jifeng looked around and found himself in a valley.

Green grass covers the ground, and hundreds of flowers are in full bloom.

It seemed like it had just rained not long ago; the air was filled with moisture and the smell of earth.

The gin was standing not far away.

Yi Jifeng walked over and discovered that in front of Jinjiu, amidst the green grass, a long sword was stuck diagonally.

The hilt is grayish-white, while the blade is moon-white, faintly radiating a blue-green glow.

"The best way to significantly improve one's strength in a short period of time is naturally to use divine weapons."

Jin Jiu said, "Come on, give it a try."

Yi Jifeng frowned: "My Famous Sword Manor cultivates the Eight Forms of Famous Sword, but we don't use swords much."

"Let's talk after you can pull out this sword. If you can't, then there's nothing to discuss."

"Ok?"

Yi Jifeng was puzzled. What was so difficult about drawing a sword?
Wait!
Could it be that……

Yi Jifeng suddenly thought of a legend that came from the Ming Dynasty.

"A spirit sword?"

"Looks like you already guessed it."

Jin Jiu laughed and said, "That's right, this sword is called the Rain Flower Sword, which is one of the seven legendary swords born under the mandate of heaven."

Yi Jifeng was immediately tempted.

Ordinary swords are useless against the Eight Styles of Famous Swords, but this legendary spirit sword is different.

Moreover, the essence of the Eight Styles of Famous Swords is to comprehend the sword intent contained in eight different swords and to cultivate oneself through this practice.

Within their Famous Sword Manor, there are eight divine swords imbued with sword intent, which are the source of the eight sword intents of the Famous Sword Eight Styles. This is the most fundamental and important foundation and protection of Famous Sword Manor.

However, according to what came from the Ming Dynasty, this divine sword with sword intent is still inferior to the spirit sword.

If one were to obtain this sword, regardless of any potential boost to one's strength, the sword's inherent value alone would be enough to enrich the reputation of the Famous Sword Manor.

Yi Jifeng couldn't help but reach out, wanting to draw his sword.

But just as his fingers were about to touch the hilt of the sword, he resisted the urge to draw it with unparalleled willpower.

Instead, he took two steps back and looked at the gin.

"So, what's the price? Gin."

He said, "I don't think the organization is generous enough to let me take such a rare and precious sword!"

Jin Jiu laughed and said, "Although the organization never does anything pointless in many situations, you've really misunderstood this matter."

The Seven Swords possess their own will and will seek their own masters. You've probably already heard this.

"good."

"You've probably heard that these seven swords were born under the mandate of heaven. But do you know what this so-called mandate of heaven is?"

"Of course I don't know."

"The organization doesn't know either."

Jin Jiu said, "The most terrifying thing in the world is not a powerful force, but the unknown!"

A powerful force, yet one can potentially control it; if all else fails, it's best to avoid its sharp edge. But this unknown… is filled with endless possibilities, inspiring endless imagination, and also… a sense of unease!
Therefore, the organization truly has no ulterior motive in this matter. If it has any, it's to find the masters of the Seven Swords as soon as possible, to bring this unknown destiny to light, and thus… find peace of mind!

"Is that all...?" Yi Jifeng was very skeptical.

Jin Jiu nodded: "It may seem unbelievable to you, but it's the truth. You're probably aware of the organization's power. I wouldn't dare say everything in the world, but most things are under the organization's control, and even if they aren't, the organization can handle them."

But this kind of unknown is unacceptable.

For us, exploring the unknown, turning the unknown into the known, and then calmly dealing with it and taking everything into our own hands is more important than anything else!

Although Yi Jifeng didn't believe it completely, he did understand Jinjiu.

"If that's the case, why come to me? Wouldn't it be easier to control people who are not martial artists at all, or even those who have acquired their skills through training?"

Jin Jiu said, "First, the choice of master for the spirit sword is not up to me. Second, whether it's an ordinary person or someone with your innate qi, it makes no difference to the organization."

The second half of the sentence was a bit unpleasant, but Yi Jifeng knew it was the truth.

Looking at the sword in front of him, Yi Jifeng's heart pounded with excitement.

Based on his understanding of gin and that organization, this matter is probably not so simple.

but……

I thought of Murong Fu.

Thinking of the head of the Zhu family.

Yi Jifeng felt a surge of hatred and anger rising in his heart.

"Forget it, why think so much? This sword might not even recognize me as its master!"

He immediately reached out and grabbed the gray hilt of the sword.

Lift it hard.

With a soft clang, he easily lifted the Rain Flower Sword.

"Huh?" Yi Jifeng was somewhat stunned.

Although it was a wonderful thing, for some reason he didn't feel happy.

Instead, it's like a foolish little insect that has fallen into a spider web.

"Congratulations!"

Jin Jiu clapped his hands with a laugh: "I knew it! You're definitely the most suitable owner for this sword. Haha, I wasn't wrong. Come on, let's test its effects."

Yi Jifeng gripped the Rain Flower Sword tightly, his true energy clinging to the blade, and unleashed a fierce slash.

What should have been a single sword aura whistling out was instead replaced by several sword auras flying out from the Rain Flower Sword.

"The Rain Flower Sword can enhance the quantity of a swordsman's sword energy..."

Jin Jiu said, "Although the power of each sword aura has been reduced, such miraculous effects are still worthy of the name of a spirit sword. Also... Yi Jifeng, how about trying out your Eight Forms of Famous Swords?"

"Could it be that this sword can unleash the Eight Styles of Famous Swords..."

Yi Jifeng was shocked. If that were the case, then the value of this sword to the Famous Sword Manor would increase even more.

Without further hesitation, he unleashed the Eight Forms of Famous Swordsmanship upon the Rain Flower Sword in his hand.

The Rain Flower Sword let out a soft hum and flew up on its own. With a flicker of its blade, it split into three sword shadows identical to itself.

"This...this...it actually works!"

Yi Jifeng could sense that each of these four sword shadows had become 30% more powerful than before!
That's quite a significant increase.

Moreover, judging from this, it seems that every sword shadow that one comprehends in the future will be amplified!
(End of this chapter)